Ireland made harder work of seeing off the Scots than they did Wales a week ago, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some stand-out performers staking a claim for a place in Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad.
Of course, the likes of skipper for the day Sean O’Brien have nothing to worry about on that front, and Simon Zebo’s impressive claims are discussed here, but which of Ireland’s other fringe players did most to further their cause and who will be desperately hoping for another chance in the two remaining warm-up fixtures?
Arrow Up
Dave Kilcoyne
‘Killer’ was on top form against the Scots. With the heft of Devin Toner behind him, the Munster man was a dominant force in the scrum and when he finally got his hands on the ball in the second half he took great pleasure barrelling into blue defenders. Remains behind Leinster pair Cian Healy and Jack McGrath in the loosehead pecking order, but has narrowed the gap on the latter and if the former’s injury worries persist into the tournament, Schmidt will be more than happy to have Kilcoyne to call on.
Ian Madigan
A stylish display at ten will have reassured Schmidt that Madigan can control a game from the pivot. Offers that little bit more than Paddy Jackson with ball in hand, as his wonderful inside ball to Dave Kearney in the lead-up to Simon Zebo’s try showed, and his kicking was also impressive, save for one particularly ugly restart. His high balls gave his chasers a chance and the chip kick for Luke Fitzgerald’s winning try could not have been more perfectly placed. Was already favoured for bench duty thanks to his versatility, but has put pressure on Jackson to start in the absence of Jonathan Sexton.
Nathan White
We spent years worrying about who would replace John Hayes if the Bull ever went down, and we are in real danger of entering this World Cup thinking the same about Mike Ross. Marty Moore has been a fine understudy at provincial and international level, but has yet to regain full fitness, so the solid half-hour put in by former Leinster man White will have made Schmidt sit up and take note. We are used to bolters being fresh, young things, but the 33-year-old Connacht man could yet force his way on to the plane.
Arrow down
Dan Tuohy
Needed a big performance but the Ulster lock disappointed, who was one of the victims of a generally sloppy Irish display. A couple of badly missed tackles, including a key one in the run-up to Henry Purgos’ try, spoiled his card and he wasn’t able to redress the balance elsewhere. Donnacha Ryan’s return to the fray last week might signal the end of Tuohy’s involvement in Ireland’s World Cup plans.
Luke Fitzgerald
Competition in the back three is going to be fierce and opportunities limited, so Fitzgerald needed a big showing today and didn’t quite get it. Took the game-winning try well, even it was served to him on a platter by Madigan, but didn’t get his hands on the ball, or do as much with it when he did, as he can when he is at his livewire best. His failure to find touch after Ireland won a turnover inside their own 22 will count as a big black mark, all the more so as it led to a try for the visitors. With Tommy Bowe, Fergus McFadden, Andrew Trimble Simon Zebo and Dave Kearney all in the frame, as well as Andrew Trimble, Fitzgerald could find himself the victim of a numbers game.
